Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Viewed As Potential Fit For World Series Champion In Free Agency

The Cardinals could make a bargain bin move for free agent pitcher Walker Buehler...
Zach Pressnell|
Apr 15, 2019; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A cap rests on the dug out wall with the number 42 on the hat in honor of Major League Baseball s Jackie Robinson Day. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Apr 15, 2019; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A cap rests on the dug out wall with the number 42 on the hat in honor of Major League Baseball s Jackie Robinson Day. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are headed for a rebuild, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be active in free agency. In fact, the Cardinals have more reason to be active in free agency this offseason than last.

With St. Louis likely subtracting from their roster in trades, the front office could target a few affordable players in free agency to fil the gaps on the team. Considering the roster configuration, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Cardinals target a few pitchers.

SB Nation's Curt Bishop recently urged the Cardinals to go after "bargain bin" free agent Walker Buehler, formerly of the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox, this winter.

Cardinals urged to sign free agent pitcher Walker Buehler

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Walker Buehle
Sep 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Walker Buehler (31) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

"Walker Buehler is a guy that would fit in great with a pitching coach like Dave Duncan. The Cardinals used to be great at finding reclamation projects and turning them back into solid players," Bishop wrote. "They would do this a lot with pitchers. Jeff Weaver is a perfect example.

"Buehler fits the bill. He has had two bad regular seasons in a row. Last year, he salvaged it with a great postseason run and even closed out the World Series for the Dodgers. This year, he went 10-7 with a 4.93 ERA between the Red Sox and Phillies. Boston cut him loose, but he’s looked better with the Phillies. He’s probably a guy that could be had on a relatively cheap one-year deal and could be given some sort of option. If Sonny Gray is going to be traded, then this would make sense"

The Cardinals are expected to lose Miles Mikolas to free agency. They're also expected to shop Sonny Gray on the trade market. With a few of the top pitching prospects not yet ready for the big leagues, adding a pitcher like Buehler would make a lot of sense for the Cardinals.

At the worst, Buehler would be a rental pitcher who the Cardinals cut ties with at the end of the season. But the best case scenario would be similar to Phil Maton's time with the Cardinals. What I mean by this is the best case scenario would be Buehler pitching well and then being utilized as a trade chip at the deadline.

Either way, the idea makes sense for the right price.

More MLB: Cardinals Expected To Make Big Offseason Moves As Trade Rumors Swirl

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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